Category Archives: Event Reviews 2020

Wellington Region Hogmanay 2020

On a balmy Wellington evening, more than 12 sets of dancers including a great contingent from Johnsonville saw off the end of a challenging 2020 by cheering in the New Year at the Wellington Region Hogmanay on 31 December in Lower Hutt.

Thanks to Ann and Andrew Oliver and their team for organising this superb evening which was full of smiles and laughter after a disrupted year of dancing. A constant refrain was one of thankfulness for being able to celebrate Hogmanay together when so many around the world could not due to severe Covid-19 restrictions.

Robert and Liz leading down the middle in Wild Geese

Along with dancers from throughout the Wellington Region, we welcomed RSCDS New Zealand Branch President Linda Glavin, Vice President Debbie Roxburgh with Paul, and Communication, Publicity and Membership Coordinator Sue Lindsay. Others from outside the Region included Sue and Ian Pearson from Whanganui, Doug Mills and Lynda Aitchison from Marlborough and former Wellingtonian Xiaowen Yu, now living in Dunedin.

Thank you to the MCs who gave briefings and oversaw walkthroughs of dances during the evening—Ann, Johnsonville Club member Jeanette Watson, Margaret Cantwell, Diane Bradshaw and Edith Campbell (who shared intriguing tidbits about the dance origins!).

We danced the night away to fine music from the Saltire Scottish Dance Band led by Mary McDonald on the fiddle, with Jason Morris (keyboard, clarinet), Duncan McDonald (drums), Glenice Saunders (fiddle) and Alastair McDonald (sound technician). Joining them were guest musicians Lynne Scott (accordion, octave-below fiddle, keyboard) and Moira Croad (flute, piccolo).

Mary says the band got a buzz out of playing to the full hall and seeing all the smiling faces.

MC Edith Campbell with the band – Glenice, Mary, Moira, Jason, Duncan & Lynne

Popular dances included the old favourites De’il Amang the Tailors, Pelorus Jack and the toe-tapping reel Mairi’s Wedding. The more experienced dancers took up the challenge of dancing Culla Bay, Best Set in the Hall (repeated for those keen to dance it a second time) and A Capital Jig.

Jeanette second from the left and Elizabeth and Ross at the right scooting along in The Flying Scotsman
Moira in the top set with Pat behind dancing left hands across in Pelorus Jack

Before midnight, Damon Collin led a singalong of Scottish songs—this time with the words projected on to a screen rather than the printed copies we’ve used since the last century!

The ceremony for welcoming in the New Year began by sweeping out the old year, with Lee and Michele Miller taking on the roles of the Old Year and the Sweeper while we sang Auld Lang Syne.

As President of the Wellington Region, Ann announced the arrival of the First Foot—the first person to come across the threshold in the new year, carrying gifts of coal for warmth, salt or money for wealth, shortbread for sustenance and whisky for good cheer.

Led by piper Doug Sinclair, First Foot James Scott walked a circuit around the hall before presenting the gifts to Ann. The First Foot then raised a toast to the RSCDS Wellington Region and we welcomed in the new year of 2021.

Doug Sinclair piping in First Foot James Scott

After wishing each other Happy New Year, it was time for the dancers to tackle the final three dances—the Eightsome/Thirtytwosome Reel, City of Belfast and The Reel of the 51st Division.

Let’s look forward to year filled with dancing!

Loralee Hyde
3 January 2021

Loralee with Liz at Hogmanay

See more of Loralee’s photos and download them if you wish

Watch Pat Reesby‘s videos
New Year Jig
Dashing White Sergeant
The Glasgow Highlanders
Auld Lang Syne

Watch Aline Homes‘ videos
The Wild Geese
Best Set in the Hall

A Big Night Out to end 2020

This year’s Tartan and Final Night was unusual in many ways.

We would normally finish the club year with an event at our home venue, but Johnsonville Bowling Club (our home for 2020), was not large enough.

Final night would normally be one of three tartan nights held for the year, all of them with guests from other clubs. This year we had to cancel our April Tartan Night due to Covid, and hold our July Tartan Night as a night of Live Music at Home for club members only – again not enough space to invite other dancers.

Our big event of the year would normally be our Annual Dance, but that too had to be cancelled. And so, our Final and Tartan Night on 14 December became our ‘Big Night Out’ for the year.

Ngaio Town Hall is an excellent venue for bigger dancing events, and so it proved on Monday night. It was a really nice way to round out the year, with Rod at the helm as MC, and a great night’s music from Mary McDonald, Lynne Scott, Jason Morris and Richard Hardie.

A year full of challenges

This year has been full of challenges, and our Tartan and Final Night was no different.

Due to the discovery of a booking clash one week out (!), we had to delay the start time to 8.00pm, get the word out to the Region’s dancers of the new start time, and do all our hall and band set-up in 30 minutes. But we managed it, thanks to the goodwill of band members and a posse of club members ready and waiting at the door at 7.30pm.

There were lots of highlights. The best was seeing six sets of happy faces on the dance floor, including all four of Johnsonville club’s remaining beginners for 2020. Well done Gill, Isabelle, Lizzie and Maggie for hanging in there across such a fragmented year of dancing, and recent beginner Scott for taking to the dance floor on only a few weeks’ experience.

Gill at the left dancing left hands across in Australian Ladies with Isabelle in a similar position in the set at the right

Special thanks to the two sets of dancers from other clubs who came along, making our ‘big night’ so much bigger and better. Club members made sure supper was plentiful and full of options for all. Isabelle’s legendary curry puffs created a buzz, with Elizabeth’s fruity Xmas skewers, and red and green napkins adding to the festive spirit.

The band also made a very thoughtful gesture in memory of the late Peter Elmes, finishing the night with his set of tunes for Marie’s Wedding. Johnsonville club was fortunate to enjoy Peter’s music over many years, and he played a special role in the club’s musical history so it was a very fitting end to our dancing year.

It has been a good year despite its difficulties – leaving Johnsonville School (where we’d danced for almost 50 years), finding a new club night venue, moving into Johnsonville Bowling Club and working out how to operate there, and dealing with Covid-19.

The Bowling Club gave us an enthusiastic welcome, and we fully expected to continue dancing there in 2021. However, a last-minute opportunity arose to move into a larger venue from next year, and we’re very much looking forward to a new permanent home at the truly lovely Khandallah Town Hall. We’ve definitely finished the year on a high.

See if you can find yourself and fellow club members in Loralee’s photos here, and in videos of the dances below.

Pat Reesby

Blue Bonnets
Reel of the 51st

Aline Homes

The Express
The Triumph
The Moudiewort
John Markham’s Rant (You can see John Markham dancing in the video)

Kristin Downey
16 December 2020

As an aside, Maggie plans to head back to Scotland early next year, and it’s wonderful that one of the club’s colourful programme wall posters for the night, will be travelling home with her.

A relaxing 2020 Christmas lunch

How fortunate we are to be able to gather together in this year of Covid. Unlike much of the rest of the world, most of our lives are now relatively normal and we can enjoy getting together to dance and to socialise.

Thirteen club members took advantage of that freedom to gather at Café Thyme on 10 December for a relaxing couple of hours chatting over coffee, lunch or a snack – the muffins are a meal in themselves as Mandy found out.

We always keep our Christmas lunch casual, people can come when it suits and leave when they need to. Meeting during the working week, and at the busy end of the year limits the numbers, but those of us who can make it always have a good time.

Many of us are Christmas lunch regulars – Aline and John, Joan, John M, Liz H, Loralee and Mandy, with Sandra coming along for the first time last year. This year some of our newly retired club members could also take part – Charles, Fiona and Bruce, and Maura. It was also lovely to have Kate join us for the first time.

Café Thyme doesn’t take bookings, so we need to arrive early to occupy tables as they become empty. Thanks to Bruce, Fiona and Liz who joined me in spreading ourselves around, and claiming enough table space for us all. Commiserations to Wendy who had planned to be amongst the early-birds, but had to cancel altogether.

Our Christmas lunch usually takes place a little earlier, in the first week of December before the ‘silly season’ really moves into overdrive. This year circumstances dictated a later date, and meant we couldn’t give club members much notice. My apologies.

Look out for an earlier notification of the date next year, and come along if you can. It’s always fun to find out a bit more about your fellow dancers over a relaxing lunch. If we’re lucky, the weather might even be good enough to sit outside in the sunshine.

Take a closer look at the happy faces in Loralee’s lovely photos

Kristin Downey
14 December 2020

Spring Fling at Last

Johnsonville’s Spring Fling social dinner dance only just made it into ‘Spring’ on 28 November, having been rescheduled not once, but twice.

The original date of 23 May was set for Autumn (looking forward to Spring), then with Covid-19 restrictions, moved to 19 September – actual Spring (and original election night).

Ultimately, 19 September was taken for our Covid-rescheduled Annual Dance, which was subsequently cancelled, and that’s how we ended up Spring-Flinging our way towards summer. 2020 was not an easy year for planning anything.

However, 25 members finally made it to St John’s Church hall for a night of socialising, dancing, and great food. It was also a nice opportunity to get to know members’ nine non-dancing friends and family who joined us on the night, and bravely took to the dance floor.

A colourful array of Spring Flingers!

The hall was decorated with the club’s mini-tartan bunting, and tartan rugs dotted with yellow and orange spring flowers (John M, Prisilla, and our young helpers let their creative instincts loose on those $2 shop flowers). The ‘Fling’ and ‘Spring’ themes continued with tartan tablecloths, and yellow and green serviettes.

We lapped up Allison Kay’s mulled wine, and did our best to make inroads into the very generous amounts of nibbles and curries catered by Tulsi Johnsonville.

Rod Downey’s dhal, Allison’s fruit salad and Moira Broughton’s glass jelly dessert went down a treat, alongside salads and desserts bought by the club. No-one went home hungry, no matter their dietary requirements.

Making new friends and catching up with old while enjoying the tasty Indian buffet

In between eating, Rod brought us a Spring-and-fling themed programme of dances, starting with the waltz he wrote for the occasion, Spring Chick Waltz Mixer. I think it would be safe to say we were all well-mixed one way or another during that dance!

Having fun dancing Spring Chick Waltz Mixer!

Other dances included Corstorphine Fair, Spring Fever, a more traditional mixer Canadian Barn Dance (by which time we had our wits more about us), Springtime in Kuckucksnest and Tartan Fling. We finished the night with the well-known and well-loved dance, De’il Amang the Tailors to send us home happy.

An occasion like this takes quite a bit of organisation. Thanks to Allison who again took on the role of kitchen organiser, ably assisted by Maureen Sullivan and our young kitchen helpers Emily and Sylvia.

Thanks also to Rod, who spent time seeking out interesting on-theme dances to teach us, and to members who came early or stayed late to help with hall set-up and pack-up.

It was a great night of fun and friendship, made successful by the friendly support of all members and the have-a-go attitude of their guests.

See Loralee Hyde’s photos of the night’s fun which are guaranteed to bring back memories of a good time had by all.

Kristin Downey
3 December 2020

Halloween/Samhain Magic!

There was a great turnout and a very celebratory atmosphere at this year’s Halloween-themed club night on 2 November. Thirty-seven dancers brought the dance floor to life, and it was lovely to have former Johnsonville dancer, Pat Reesby, join the party.

Our last three Samhain celebrations have been combined with the Club’s AGM. This year the AGM was held separately, allowing us to enjoy a full night of magically mysterious dances, and wonderful music from Aileen Logie, Hilary Ferral and Jason Morris.

Rod gave us a great time as always, with lots of fun dances, including some we’ve come to know and love from previous years. Slytherin House, Ferla Mor and Ellwyn’s Fairy Glen are always crowd-pleasers. Nice also to once again dance The Scottish Werewolf named for local teacher and deviser Iain Boyd, with Samhain MagicThe Fairy Dance and Ghost Dance rounding out the programme.

Club members made a fantastic effort to dress the part this year. There were witches galore, cobwebs, spiders, bats, a devilish tutor and one very red devil, tam o’shanters, toothy vampires, robes of ochre and velvet, and colourful masks. Wall decorations and themed tablecloths added to the atmosphere.

The band went to great lengths to join in the Halloween spirit. Hilary’s brilliant effort at face painting made her unrecognisable, Jason was the serious man in black, and I hear Aileen is still finding strands of green wig hair in her accordion!

As a special treat, Aileen gave us a surprise performance of the song Dundee Ghost by Matt McGinn. It’s all about a Dundee ghost rising cold from his grave and managing to gain himself the warmth of a Glasgow ‘single end’ (a favoured end of the terrace house) by haunting the owner (lyrics here and lovely spooky YouTube video here).

Aileen also talked about the tradition of ‘guising’ in Scotland, where children go door-to-door in disguise and perform an item in return for a gift of fruit – without the threat of ‘tricks’. Good to hear a bit more about Scottish Halloween traditions from someone who’s experienced them.

Then it was on to supper itself, and yet another of Elizabeth Ngan’s amazingly creative displays of themed goodies with something for everyone. The ‘cauldron’ centrepiece contained pink hummus and GF crackers, chocolate fingers took on the role of firewood and witches’ brooms, there were monster faces with strawberry ‘tongues’, and toes made of sausage rolls complete with almond ‘toenails’. It really caused a buzz.

Elizabeth’s pumpkins were mandarins decorated with chocolate and green icing!

Thanks to the photos taken by Loralee Hyde on the night, we can all enjoy happy memories of the occasion now, and in years to come.

See the photos here

Kristin Downey
11 November

New Zealand Musicians’ Tea Dance 2020

Fun to a variety of music!

A group of New Zealand Scottish Country Dance musicians gathered in Lower Hutt at Labour Weekend to share ideas and make music together. They invited us to come and dance to them at an informal Tea Dance on Sunday 25 October.

With musicians and bands from Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch, the afternoon was a great opportunity for dancers to enjoy a variety of music played on a range of instruments.

The massed band

The five bands/musicians were:

  • Bourach Mor from Hamilton – but with enough ring-ins they preferred to call themselves Borrowed Mor! Onstage were Lynne Hudson (accordion), Ruth Budden, Wayne McConnel, Glenice Saunders and Trish Henley on fiddles and Shelley McConnel on recorder.
  • Strings Attached: Lynne Scott on the fiddle and Sharlene Penman on piano, with technical wizardry from James Scott providing the double bass that usually accompanies this band.
  • Wild Heather: Sharlene Penman on piano, Lynne Scott on octave fiddle with Mary McDonald and Ann Goodbehere on fiddles.
  • Airs and Graces: Lynne Scott on piano with Mary McDonald and Glenice Saunders on fiddles.
  • Kiwi Kilties: Sharlene, Mary, and Duncan on drums.

All the musicians played for the five dances in the second half.

A great contingent of twenty-two Johnsonville dancers including MC Jeanette Watson enjoyed the afternoon of dancing. It was wonderful to see two of our new dancers doing so well and having a good time.

Twenty-two Johnsonville dancers took to the floor during the afternoon – spot some of them dancing A Jig to the Music

Organiser Lynne Scott, Convenor of the annual Scottish Country Dance Musicians’ Convention, says it was great fun and they really had a ball. As did we!

Thank you to Lynne and the musicians for all of their hard work over the weekend.

See more of Loralee Hyde’s photos below.

Watch a video of Beach Dancer by Pat Reesby

Loralee Hyde
28 October 2020

New Dancers’ Celebration 2020

Emerging dancers take to the floor

The excited chatter and laughter of the crowd walking up to the Paraparaumu Memorial Hall on Saturday 10 October told the story; after months of Covid-19 restrictions, it was time for Scottish Country dancers to take to the floor!

Maura, Rod, Kristin and Lizzie dancing Roxburgh Castle with Kair looking on

One of the biggest events on the Region calendar, the New Dancers’ Celebration is a special event for those who have started dancing in the past two years, with more experienced dancers coming along as support.

Waikanae Club, the host this year, went through tribulations to put on this dance. First of all, Covid-19 Alert Levels chopped and changed over the past few months, and then the plumbing system at the original venue failed just two weeks prior to the dance.

Even with such short notice, the club managed to find a new venue and the dance went off without a hitch. As we are at Covid-19 Level 1, some preventative measures applied – there was a QR code to scan at the door (or a register to sign) and plenty of hand sanitisers. Well done Waikanae for your great organisation!

Piper Nicole Trewavas welcomed us with the rousing sound of bagpipes as we strolled into the hall. The loud buzz of conversation showed our delight in catching up friends from around the Region who we might not have danced with for some time.

Sandra and Liz enjoying Roxburgh Castle with Andrew and his partner looking on

MC Romaine Butterfield explained why blue butterflies decorated the hall. Butterflies emerge from chrysalides, as were the new dancers emerging to take to the floor. Together with the more experienced who were emerging from Covid-19 restrictions.

New dancers had special name badges featuring blue butterflies which made it easier for the experienced to recognise them and make sure they had partners throughout the evening.

Dancing Fair Enough: Elizabeth J and Rod in the top set at the left, Sandy in the set behind; Mary (facing away), Lizzie and Charles in the top set in the middle, Bruce in the set behind; Maggie in the second set at the right

With a programme appropriate for new dancers and with each dance walked through once, fourteen sets filled the hall to dance to toe-tapping music from Aileen Logie, Hilary Ferral and Jason Morris. Popular dances included The Birks of Invermay, Mrs MacLeod and The De’il Amang the Tailors.

MC Romaine Butterfield with Jason Morris, Aileen Logie and Hilary Ferral playing Come What May

Johnsonville Club had a great contingent at the celebration, with ten first and second year dancers supported by fourteen of our experienced dancers, plus Hilary in the band.

It was an evening of dancing to savour after having such limited opportunities this year to take part in an activity we love.

See more photos of this fun-filled evening here

Loralee Hyde
14 October 2020

On a personal note, in April I shared my research about my Scottish connections and how I found out I connect to Clan MacMillan through my great-grandmother Jane’s maiden name of Lennie. This New Dancers’ Celebration was the first time in my 46 years of dancing I could wear a family tartan – my new MacMillan Hunting Ancient tartan sash!

Tawa Annual Dance 2020

A welcome return to dance occasions

For much of this past year, the dance calendar has been one long list of cancellations.

Johnsonville Club’s own Annual Dance, in combination with Capital City Club, was first postponed, then cancelled, and there were many more. But Saturday 3 October saw our first dance occasion since the shutdown, with the Tawa Club Annual Dance, and a splendid night it was too.

Some Johnsonville members (and others) enjoying Shiftin’ Bobbins

The numbers present were about right for the hall, filling it without becoming crowded. We must thank MC and Club Tutor Catherine McCutcheon for a programme that had a few challenges, but nothing preposterous, and for some excellent briefing.

She was admirably backed by the musical trio of Aileen Logie, Hilary Ferral and Jason Morris, and we were set for a good night’s dancing.

Which we had.

The MC and the band – Jason Morris, Aileen Logie and Hilary Ferral (who you can see at the right on the screen of Catherine’s phone)

I might note that, had there been enough people to do true justice to the vast supper provided, the hall would have been too packed for dancing. But there was enough for all, including for people with dietary restrictions, and I am sure the leftovers found good homes later.

Laden supper tables

Johnsonville Club was well represented, and pay no attention to the murmuring about some people belonging to both Johnsonville and Tawa. They are our members.

Because of a dodgy ankle, my wife Aline can do very little dancing these days. So instead, she took videos of the dancing. See us all enjoying the dance.

Wild Mountain Thyme
The Button Boy
Beach Dancer

Thanks also to Pat Reesby who took these videos.

Shiftin’ Bobbins
The Golden Years

John Homes
8 October 2020

Photos: John Patterson

28 September 2020: A special club night

Even though it was ‘only’ a club night, Monday night was pretty special. To me it epitomised the best of Scottish Country Dancing.

We were back at Level 1, so everyone could feel free to attend. On top of that there was live music, a great atmosphere, a jolly tutor and a (very) big birthday cake. A celebration indeed.

Despite so much loss of dancing time and cancellation of dancing events this year, we have been really fortunate to have so many nights of live music

This week was to have been another of the newly begun ‘live music at club’ nights with Aileen Logie playing solo. Happily for us, fellow Cranberry Tarts band member Hilary Ferral also decided to join us, bright cranberry-coloured socks and all.

Then it turned out Rod’s maths colleague (and violinist) André Nies, was visiting Wellington for work and he too joined the merry band.

André, Aileen and Hilary playing in the merry band
The Cranberry Tarts – Aileen and Hilary – displaying their cranberry socks!

Rod taught us dances from the upcoming Tawa and New Dancers’ programmes, and we had the bonus of dancing to the music that Aileen, Hilary and Jason Morris will play for both events. What a great way to prepare.

I love the generosity of the Scottish Country Dance community – tutors who encourage musicians and dancers, dancers who support musicians and each other, musicians who give us their music and welcome guest musicians (and in this case even supply a loan violin for the night – thank you Hilary).

So for me it was a perfect night of dance, music, and community, and all of it fun. The icing on the cake so to speak, was Aileen’s contribution of a massive chocolate cake to celebrate her birthday.

Aileen brought along a massive chocolate cake to celebrate her birthday!

Our super supper co-ordinator Elizabeth Ngan made sure there was something for everyone, contributing fresh fruit kebabs.

Elizabeth Ngan organising our super supper
Elizabeth Judge serving out Aileen’s massive birthday cake

Bowling Club President Frankie added that little bit extra to the night, buying Aileen a not-so-wee dram to celebrate. Thanks to all for a night to remember, and to Deborah Shuker for giving André a ride home.

Kristin Downey
1 October 2020

A Live Music July Night 2020

Our Live Music Night and Tartan Night on Monday 13 July was such a lot of fun, with plenty of tartan, lots of happy dancers on the floor and an inviting supper spread.

Set-up and pack-up just happened, with volunteers a-plenty, and there was the usual abundance of club members willing to take the club tablecloths home to wash. It really is a pleasure to be part of such a supportive club.

Special thanks to Rod who brought us (and taught us) a programme that worked for everyone, despite all the disruption of Covid-19.

Lots of fun and laughter dancing Corn Rigs

The band had been ready since the original April date of our planned Tartan Night, and they gave us a fine night’s music – thank you Aileen Logie, Hilary Ferral and Jason Morris.

Jason, Aileen and Hilary gave us fine music on the night

Thanks also to Elizabeth Ngan and her supper helpers, who served us hot drinks and made sure we all enjoyed a super supper break.

The first Tartan Night of the year is always a special one, as it’s the first time the club’s new dancers experience dancing to live music. It was great to see Gill, Isabelle, and Lizzie doing so well and having such a good time. Lovely also to welcome visitors Kair, Lee and Graeme.

Monday was full of firsts – the club’s first dancing event with a live band for 2020, the first time we’ve held a Tartan Night just for club members, and the inaugural gig for this particular band line-up.

Thanks to photographer John Patterson for giving us memories of the night. See more of John’s photos here

Download the Live Music & Tartan Night programme below.